Research: 96% of metal industry companies say contractors do not pay on time
Poland’s metal industry has entered 2026 facing a persistent cash flow challenge. According to a Keralla Research study for Bibby Financial Services, the median value of funds tied up in unpaid invoices stands at around PLN 100,000 per company, a level now seen as structural rather than temporary. »»»
Jetten sworn in as youngest ever Dutch PM
The Hague: A new Dutch government took power on Monday, with 38-year-old centrist Rob Jetten sworn in as the country's youngest-ever prime minister and the first openly gay one. "Sworn in. We're going to get started. Let's get to work," Jetten posted on X, formerly Twitter, with a picture of his ca»»»
EU Lawmakers Postpone Vote on US Trade Deal after Tariff Upheaval
The European Parliament decided on Monday to postpone a vote on the European Union’s trade deal with the United States due to US President Donald Trump’s imposition of a blanket 15% import duty after the Supreme Court struck down his previous global tariffs, two parliamentary sources said on Monday»»»
Indian expat woman nabbed for overstaying UAE visa flies home. Here's how
Sharjah: An Indian expat woman, who was nabbed in Sharjah for overstaying the UAE visa, has flown home after legal intervention, according to a legal firm that provided support to her. Yab Legal Services said the woman hailing from the south Indian state of Kerala had secured a visa through an agen»»»
Commercial Bank of Syria resumes operations in Idlib after decade-long hiatus
Idlib, Feb. 23 (SANA) Governor of Idlib, Mohammad Abdul Rahman, inaugurated the Idlib branch of the Commercial Bank of Syria on Monday, marking a strategic step toward strengthening the provincial banking sector and alleviating financial burdens on citizens. In a statement to SANA, Abdul Rahman emp»»»
FM: Current global crises underscore urgent need to support disarmament efforts
Tunis, Feb. 23 (TAP) - The current global crises underscore the imperative of adhering to international legitimacy and multilateral action, in order to protect the will of states and prevent domination and polarisation policies that undermine...»»»
CTP joins Romanian Pavilion at MIPIM to showcase the country’s industrial and logistics potential
CTP, Europe’s largest listed developer, owner, and operator of industrial and logistics (“I&L”) properties by gross leasable area (“GLA”), is proud to join the Romanian Pavilion at MIPIM—one of the world’s leading real estate trade fairs—to showcase the country’s attractiveness as an investment des»»»
Family of Tunisian Lawyer Ahmed Souab Announces His Release
The family of prominent Tunisian lawyer Ahmed Souab said the Court of Appeal decided on Monday to release him. Souab, a strong critic of President Kais Saied, had been serving a five-year prison sentence. Tunisia’s judicial counterterrorism unit issued a warrant in April 2025 ordering the imprisonm»»»
Qatari bowlers showcase incredible performance at Sheikh Saud Ramadan Bowling Contest in Doha
Doha, Qatar: Qatar players reaped pretty good results in the competitions held within the fourth Sheikh Saud bin Ahmed Al-Thani Ramadan Bowling Championship in Doha. Hosted by the Qatar Bowling Federation (QBF), the tournament winds up on March 7, 2026, with the participation of over 100 players fr»»»
Mira Yosifova Appointed Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growtn
Mira Yosifova has been appointed Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth, the Ministry of Innovation and Growth said. Yosifova is an expert with nearly 20 years of professional experience in public administration, strategic planning, management of European programs, and development of public polic»»»
US Pulling Non-essential Staff from Embassy in Beirut amid Iran Tensions
The State Department is pulling out non-essential government personnel and their eligible family members from the US embassy in Beirut, a senior State Department official said on Monday, amid growing concerns about the risk of a military conflict with Iran. "We continuously assess the security envi»»»
Australia backs removal of ex-Prince Andrew from line of succession - UPI.com
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday became the first head of a Commonwealth realm nation to back calls to strip Andew Mountbatten-Windsor of his birthright to inherit the throne. File Photo Bianca de Marchi/EPA Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote his B»»»
Japan media split on U.S. investment after tariff ruling - UPI.com
U.S. President Donald Trump attends a bilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the State Guest House in Tokyo, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. File. Photo via Prime Minister's Office of Japan/UPI | License Photo Feb. 22 (Asia Today) -- Major Japanese newspapers welcomed a U.S. »»»
Qatar ranks sixth globally in islamic fintech sector: reports
Doha, Qatar: Qatar has ranked sixth worldwide as the largest hub for Islamic financial technology, according to the Global Islamic Fintech (GIFT) Report 2025-2026. The report estimates the size of Qatar's Islamic fintech market at $3.1 billion in 2024-2025 and projects it will grow at a compound an»»»
Election Costs Are Expected to Total EUR 75-80 Mln
Final election costs are estimated to be around EUR 75–80 million, Finance Minister Georgi Klisurski told a news briefing at the Council of Ministers following the first regular meeting of the caretaker cabinet on Monday. The Council of Ministers adopted the budget for the parliamentary elections o»»»
Rubio Trip to Israel on Iran Tensions 'Subject to Change'
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio may push back a trip to Israel in which he is expected to speak to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about potential strikes on Iran, a US official said Monday. "Secretary Rubio is still planning to travel to Israel but the schedule remains subject to change," the »»»
Excessive consumption in Ramadan: balancing spiritual values, economic responsibility, environmental awareness
Doha, Qatar: The holy month of Ramadan represents an opportunity to promote values of moderation, balance, solidarity, and self-discipline. However, the month also witnesses a noticeable rise in consumption levels across several sectors, particularly food, energy, and water. Instead of being a mont»»»
Nikoloski: 23 new flights, record passengers, over 4 million expected
Skopje, 19 February 2026 (MIA) – Since the government assumed office, 23 new direct flights have been introduced, with 3.5 million passengers served at Ohrid and Skopje airports. This year, I expect that Skopje Airport will emerge as the regional leader in growth, surpassing 4 million passengers, s»»»
ADJD approves new government notaries at creative media authority
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) has accredited a group of government notaries at the Creative Media Authority, following the taking of the legal oath before Counsellor Yousef Saeed Al Abri, Undersecretary of the Department. The step aims to enhance the flexibility of notarial services and »»»
ISIE announces draws for local and regional council rotation on March 1
Tunis, Feb. 23 (TAP) – The Independent High Authority for Elections (ISIE) announced on Monday that periodic draws will be held on March 1 to ensure the rotation of council members in regional councils and the alternation of presidencies in local...»»»
Photos Show Filming of Ramadan TV Drama Series on the War-scarred Streets of Syria's Aleppo
Ramadan in the Arab world is a month of fasting and prayer by day — and television by night. For decades, families have gathered after the iftar, the evening meal that breaks the daytime fast, to follow the season’s highly anticipated drama series, produced specially to air during the Islamic holy »»»
MOI advises public on preventing cooking oil fires at home
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Interior (MOI) has issued a public safety advisory through its official social media platforms, urging residents to take necessary precautions to prevent cooking oil fires at home. The ministry stressed that awareness of preventive measures plays an important role in en»»»
France to summon U.S. ambassador Kushner for comments on beating death - UPI.com
1 of 4 | President Donald Trump, alongside Ambassador to France Charles Kushner, right, watches as a U.S. flag is raised on the South Lawn at the White House in June. The French foreign minister said Sunday that he would summon Kushner for comments he made about the beating death of a far-right act»»»
Ramadan: How many Rak’ahs should Taraweeh have?
Dubai: The UAE Council For FATWA has issued a new religious ruling clarifying the status, virtues and number of rak’ahs for Taraweeh prayers during the holy month of Ramadan, encouraging worshippers to maintain the practice as much as possible. In its statement, the Council said Taraweeh is a highl»»»
Caretaker Labour Minister Vows to Prevent Corporate Voting via Social Policy at Next Elections
Labour and Social Policy Ministry has undertaken to guarantee, through its structures, including the territorial divisions, that corporate voting through the instruments of social policy will not be allowed at the forthcoming parliamentary elections, caretaker Social Policy Minister Hasan Ademov sa»»»
Stock market shows optimism as Tunindex grows 0.91 %
Tunis, Feb. 23 (TAP)- Optimism prevailed in the Tunis stock market with Tunindex edging up 0.91 % to 14, 948.59 points in a sustained volume of TND 8.1 million, stock broker Tunisie Valeurs said.SAM share posted the best performance over the...»»»
UDST announces Fall 2026 admissions, launches new programs
Doha, Qatar: University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) has announced that admissions for the Fall 2026 semester are now open. The university asked prospective students to apply online for Master's, Bachelor's, and Diploma programs through the university's official website. It added that »»»
Sharjah intensifies inspections of factories and warehouses
In a proactive move to strengthen workplace safety standards, the Director General of the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority conducted an extensive inspection tour across several industrial areas in the emirate, visiting factories, warehouses and commercial establishments to assess compliance with app»»»
U.S. Iran conflict: Will Hezbollah join the fray?
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri does not seem concerned about a possible spillover of the U.S.-Iran conflict into Lebanon, sources told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper. The sources said they sensed from Berri's attitude that Hezbollah will not take any action in the event of a strike on Iran. A report pub»»»
Vazrazhdane Submits Documents to Initiate Local Referendum in Sredets against Establishing of Immigration Detention Centre
Vazrazhdane has submitted documents for holding a referendum at Sredets Municipality, Burgas Region against the establishing an immigration detention centre, the press centre of the political party said on Monday. At a meeting with residents, the procedure for creating an initiative committee was l»»»
Hungary Blocks 20th Package of Anti-Russia Sanctions, $106B Loan to Ukraine - Szijjarto
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Hungary blocked the 20th package of anti-Russia sanctions, as well as the 90 billion euro ($106 billion) loan to Ukraine, due to Kiev's shutdown of the Druzhba oil pipeline, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Monday. "At today's meeting, I made it clear that we do»»»
“Elections Are an Investment”: Caretaker Cabinet Allocates €65 Million for April 19 Snap-Vote
The caretaker government, led by Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov, has approved the allocation of €65 million for the organization of the parliamentary elections scheduled for April 19. Speaking at the first meeting of the interim cabinet, Gyurov stressed that funding the vote is a necessary commitment»»»
Ajman Police step up road safety drive for delivery riders
Ajman Police have stepped up road safety awareness efforts by organising a series of educational lectures for delivery motorcycle riders working with several private companies across the emirate. The initiative forms part of the main traffic campaign, “Towards a safe road for all its users,” and co»»»
Bulgaria Completes Collection of 86% of Leva as Euro Circulation Stabilizes
Bulgaria has successfully collected the majority of its national currency. Acting Finance Minister Georgi Klisurski emphasized during the regular briefing of the Coordination Center of the Euro Mechanism that the state is committed to protecting citizens throughout this transition, working closely »»»
Ahmed Souab released (Judicial Source)
Tunis, Feb. 23 (TAP) - The Criminal Chamber of the Court of Appeal in Tunis has upheld the first instance against former lawyer and administrative judge Ahmed Souab, modifying the sentence in the first charge of “threats punishable by criminal law...»»»
Report: Polls may be delayed as part of deal involving Taif implementation
U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa and Saudi Ambassador Walid Bukhari have openly raised the issue of postponing the parliamentary elections with Speaker Nabih Berri but he did not show cooperation, al-Akhbar newspaper reported. “It is currently being discussed that any potential postponement of the elect»»»
Man held after Kozani motorist robbed of her shoes
A 26-year-old man in the northern town of Kozani has been arrested for allegedly robbing a woman of a small amount of cash, her phone and her shoes, police said Monday. A police statement said the 20-year-old woman was approached as she was unlocking her parked car early Saturday by a man who had c»»»
Registration now open for Old Doha Port Fishing Competition 2026
Doha, Qatar: Old Doha Port has announced that registration is now open for the third edition of the Old Doha Port Fishing Competition, taking place alongside the second edition of the Fishing Exhibition in March 2026. The competition is organized in collaboration with Doha Marina Sports Club. Regis»»»
Abu Dhabi Police issue safety guidelines as fog expected across UAE
Abu Dhabi Police have urged motorists to strictly follow traffic safety measures and reduce their speed to no more than 80 km/h when fog or poor visibility develops, as misty conditions are forecast to affect parts of the UAE in the coming days. The warning comes as the National Centre of Meteorolo»»»
Grok scandal prompts MEP move to ban non-consensual AI porn in new omnibus
A new draft report by Green MEP Sergey Lagodinsky suggests amending the EU’s AI Omnibus proposal to prohibit artificial intelligence apps that can generate nonconsensual sensualised content. The draft was published on Monday (2 February), with the German MEP leading the file for the legal affairs c»»»
EU Parliament set to adopt tougher asylum laws amid far-right pressure
New anti-asylum laws are likely to be rubber-stamped by the European Parliament amid further alarm over the far-right influence on migration. The Strasbourg assembly on Tuesday (10 February) will most likely adopt two new laws that will make it legally easier to deport asylum-seeker hopefuls to cou»»»
TikTok’s addictive design breaches the DSA, EU Commission finds
The European Commission preliminarily found TikTok in violation of the Digital Services Act (DSA) on Friday (6 February), for breaching the EU’s addictive design rules. Under the DSA, online platforms have certain risk assessment and mitigation obligations. Brussels has reason to believe that TikTo»»»
France, Sweden and UK worsen in annual global corruption index
Global corruption is worse than it was a decade ago, with democracies particularly slipping, according to the new 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index published on Tuesday (10 February) by the Berlin-based NGO Transparency International. Governmental corruption has increasingly been a concern across t»»»
Watchdogs say €650bn EU fund still ripe for fraud
The EU’s €650bn pandemic era fund remains wide open to fraud with weak accountability and oversight, according to financial watchdogs. “This vast sum of money offers huge potential scope for fraudulent activity,” says Katarína Kaszasová of the Luxembourg-based European Court of Auditors (ECA). Spea»»»
59 days to election: Hungary accused of cover-up at toxic Samsung battery plant, as sex-video smear targets opposition leader
In our ongoing weekly digest, award-winning journalist Veronika Munk summarises and explains the most important political developments in Hungary. We guide readers on the route to the key April 2026 election — a poll without precedent in the region over the past 15 years. This week, we cover: An in»»»
‘Deregulation’ tops leaders’ retreat, but critics point to investment gap and corporate lobbying
Europe’s national leaders are meeting in a medieval castle in Belgium on Thursday (12 February) to discuss how to modernise. Europe’s economic and political system is predicated on openness and rules, built over decades, that are meant to ensure companies compete on a ‘level playing field’. But wit»»»
Greece moves to arrest Nordic aid worker supporting migrants
Greek authorities have issued a European arrest warrant against Norwegian human rights activist Tommy Olsen, who leads an organisation supporting migrants. Olsen runs the Aegean Boat Report, a Norwegian non-governmental organisation (NGO) set up in 2018 to monitor and share data on people seeking r»»»
MEPs warn of democratic backsliding in Fico’s Slovakia
MEPs raised concerns about the weakening of democratic standards in Slovakia at a plenary debate on Wednesday (11 February) — while representatives of Slovak governing coalition parties called it a deliberate humiliation of the country. “No corruption, no problems with the rule of law. These are yo»»»
Gibraltar to regain freedom of movement within days, in post-Brexit legal tidy-up
Gibraltar will finally obtain free movement into Spain within the coming days, after the European Commission confirmed it had published the draft law that will govern the UK territory. In a statement on Tuesday (17 February), the EU Commission said that it had finalised the legal text of an agreeme»»»
Why is the EU struggling to scale artificial intelligence?
When EU leaders met at a medieval castle this week to discuss how to ramp up Europe’s economic power, they were confronting a stark reality: Europe is lagging behind the innovation race with China and the US. In its 2026 competitiveness report, the European Commission admitted that Europe “risks lo»»»